Newspaper Page Text
'HOIKMEED' IS OEM p Prophet Crowdy Was Ais< Boss of the "Footwashers." SAID HE COULDN'T DIE A And Followers Now Say He Is Jus "Sleeping." * GROWTH OF PECULIAR SECT There's One of the Churches Here ii Town With a Saintly Cash : Grocery Attached. ? "Prophet" William S. Crowdy. founde jot the famous "Footwashers" and "Hoi Hollers." whose local church is at 4tl street and New York avenue, is dead. When he left this city three month: ago. apparently in bad l*ealtli. he tol< his followers he could' not die. And hi: family and th*1* heads of the local churcl here refused to talk toaay when asket about the death of the leader. "He has gone to sleeT>." one of th< members admitted, however, and will b< seen no more leading the "Washers" ant imprinting "the holy kiss." "Prophet" Crowdy succumbed to an at lark of Paralysis in Baltimore severa * " " A funoral cortHno wn? iv r ngv. n j ui??. i ai ?w *' ?- ? ,vthe "tabernacle" of the Church of (lot and Saints of Christ in Philadelphia, ant his body was laid to rest in Newark. N J. this week. His Following Was Large. "Prophet" Crowdy came to Washingtor to organize a church several years ago His peculiar doctrines regarding marriagt and his bestowal of the name of "Daughters of Jerusalem" on ills woman follow ers won him a large adherence. He con ducted regular services at the little wooden church at 4th street and New YorV avenue. About three months ago he appeared t< be losing his health. "He is not ill; but God is visiting upor him the sins of his congregation." friend: .of the "prophet" told the followers. - He himself maintained that he could no die. but he admitted that he might b< called to heaven; and his followers be lieved him. His death, it is feared by thi _ church leaders, may create doubts o thi "prophet's inspiration." So those in Wash ington are keeping as mum as clams re garding this incident. At his former horn at Ilia U street all information is re fused. "Yes, the prophet has gene to sle^p," Elder Tyler, the head of the 'ocal con gregation; told a Star reporter this morn ing. "Who is his successor?" the elder *?' asked. "He has no successor," was the reply "Bishop Crowdy was a prophet and then can be no other prophet. Moses was t prophet, but when he Vent to sleep Joshiu succeeded him and Joshua was nc prophet." "Who are the heads of the chupch now?" th? local elder was asked. "The prophet selected them long before he went to sleep." was the reply "The big men are Joseph Crowdy, s nephew of the bishop, who is in Philadel phia; Oliver Tyler of Boston and L. Calvii Skinner of Emporia. Kan." Big Man in the Church. The death of the "prophet" has resulted in a deep sense of loss here, foi he wm no small man in the loca '"Church of God." He gathered arouni him several hundred colored women an< men. and they all had their feet "wash ed by an eldar." Many services wen held and Prophet Crowdy was the In spiration of all the rites. Crowdy also established other institu. tions in connection with his church There is a "Church of God cash restau rant" near the structure and a "Churci of God- cash grocery?with special reference to the "cash" each time?on > street near 8th street. And the selfstyled "bishop" lived in a handsom? home on U street. One day when the Rev. William 8 Crowdy was cooking in a hotel out west a vision came to him, he said, anl plainly admonished: "Go into a great city and establish t church." Crowdy heard the "call" and chos< Philadelphia. There were some odf formalities mixed up with his "inspired' belief, but they seemed to catch th< crowd. And hundreds swarmed to th? little hall where he hung out his sign. No one was admitted into the "innei circle" of the sect without first having had his feet washed by an "elder." Thei the member was in "good and regulai standing with the brethren." Evidently the negroes of the Fltxwatei street district in the Quaker city wen looking for just such a faith when Crowdj came along, for flocks of them were ush ered secretly to the Jersey shore of th< Delaware and were treated to the all-nec essary "foot wash." Women by the scores enrolled under tin standard of the "Foot Washers," for thej were known as the "Daughters of Jerusa lem." and they liked the high-soundini title. "Bishop" Crowdy began to wonder ho* the men might be attracted to the fold so he issued this simple edict: "Every woman in this church is de manded to induce her husband to Joli us." The "Holy Kiss." It created all sorts of comment and ex eltement among the "Washers." Po there were a good number that never hat tied the nuptial knot. What were they t< do? "Prophet" Crowdy came to the res cue of his "sisters." He invented th< "holy kiss." This religious fervor-spending sehemi bore quick fruit. Men packed the meet itigs and "Prophet" Crowdy patted lilmsel on the breast with satisfying pats again In a month the congregation increase! twofold, and many of the unmarried "sis ters" had launched on the blissful sea The kiss rivaled the "spiritual kiss" o the "Holy Ghosters," and the flve-mlnuti stage kisses in the "soul kiss." In fact. "Bishop" Crowdy's up-to-dat< evangelizing agents proved to be so sue cessful that downtown ministers, twent; of them, whose congregations had beet drained, declared war against the lehde of the new doctrine. Even though the "prophet" had taxe< every member of his faith one-tenth o their daily income for the maintenanct of the church of the "Foot Washers,' there were no "backsliders." Then came the final chance for th< clergymen of the other negro churches smallpox prone oui in me camp or tni "Foot Washers," and CroW^r tried hJi hand at curing the disease. Five per sons died suddenly, and the "bishop" was being hunted across the country bl the police. Grew Like the Bay Tree. Immediately the twenty protesting mln ister.- of other faiths began to pray tha Dr. Martin, then director tf the Phlla de'.piiia health department, might succeec in landing the self-appointed leader ("rowdy, in jail. He never was arrestei on the charge. And. in spite of the opposition, tin "Foot Washers" prospered. THere wa the "bishop's" grocery store, the "Daugh ters of Jerusalem Noah's Ark" dress making establishment, the "saintly" bar ber shop and the "God-be-wlth->ou-'til we-meet-agaln" restaurant?all run h connection with the "tabernacle" of th Crowdy Church. From time to time the "prophet" slippei into other large cities of the country, in eluding Washington, and now the "Foo Washers" have churches In every stat in the I'nion. They have even entere Africa with their furious faith. He i said to have enrolled 2i00 (? under hi banner during his short religious "blsh opric." Back to First Wires. PHILADELPHIA. August 14.?Whe "Prophet" Crowdy. ftead of the negr "Church of God and Saints of Christ," I! was in the prime of life and thought no of death he considered it perfectly goo< doctrine to have more than one wifeWhen old age made the vision of th< grave something more than a theme fo sermons?an impending surety??he gave ex cathedra, an edict to his people that al J heads of families should return to thel first and. by law. only wedded wives. 1 For the man realized then that his con siderable estate belonged to the womai with whom in the first place he had ex changed vows, tihe first nature of whiel . were later to be adjusted to suit the re m ligion he was little by little evolving. Sect Is Disturbed. Like thunder from sunny skies to th t second, third and fourth wives of Crowd: and others "high in the church," came th amendment of the dying Crowdy. that al male members of his faith return to thei first wives, who. with their children only [ would be recognized by the church ^ legitimate. The prophet himself returned to hi first wife, from whom he had been sep i arated fifteen years Prior to this edic the members of the church had openl; violated the laws of the state regardini matrimony, although because of the oh scurity of the parties to these union there was no poiblic comment. Crowdy* conscience resulted in his leaving sev eral women and children, his more re r cent wives and progeny, nameless am y without income, and many of his follow , ers found his return to conventional stand ards and moral'ty annoying. The elder t' be promoted to the office of 'prophet' 9 will probably make his first official ac 1 an order restoring polygamy to th u church. For this man. is understood to feel a tenderly solicitous for the recognition o * a certain young person as his wife as h does to receive the mantle of the deai > "prophet." Polyandry is also accepted b; a this religious sect. 1 Remarkable Ideas. The church has various remarkabh - ideas. If a married woman becomes ; I member, and her husband refuses to fol 1 low her. then, by the chuTch rule, sir i can choose a husband in the conerega 1 tion. The first legal marriage is nullified . the sect declares. It has thus come ti be a jest among the negroes in the south ern part of the city that if' a womai tires of her husband "she had better be t come a meir.ler of the Church of Goi and Saints of Christ." It is for this among otner reasons, that pastors o ' orthodox churches have protested agains - the Crowdy teachings. Nephew May Become Head. Crowdy's nephew, known as "Elde ~ Joe." is backed for the prophet's seat b: many of his uncle's followers. He wen 3 to Washington, the .^ew Jerusalem o the church, where Crowdy was wont t< 1 sit in state, yesterday. There Isaiah ant Ft Augustus Crowdy, the prophet's sons t live. "Elder Joe" is believed to hav< p gone there to fix up his fences with tin . neirs of Crowdy. Isaiah and Augustus s who have long managed the "prophet's' e worldly affairs, will get his estate. Present indications are, however, tha . "Elder Joe" will not be made "prophet." a Elder Plummer of Boston, called the In I telleetual giant of the sect. Is beini boomed as the next "prophet" by thf presbytery of elders, which will meet it . this, city next month. Meanwhile pastor) . of orthodox negro churches are threaten ing to force the police to suppress fur i, ther operations of the church in varioui cities. i FINAL HONORS PAII I ) ???? * FUNERAL OF A. R. SPOFFORE TTTIT t\ m U Tfli iHimilBtrAAV niiiiif xxxxo axx&AfluuJJi. i The funeral of Alnsworth Rand Spof 1 ford, for many years librarian of Con gress. was held from the family residence 1821 Massachusetts avenue, at :i o'clocl - this afternoon. Rev. U.' G. B. Pierce, pas r tor of All Souls' Church, officiated. Tin 1 remains arrived here from New Hamp d shire this morning and were received a 1 the I.*nion station by Librarian Putnan and Superintendent Bernard R. Green o the Library building on behalf of thi library force, with whom Mr. Spofford ha< worked for so long, and by whom he was honored and loved. It was Mr. Spofford's desire that his re mains should be cremated, and it was an nounced today that his wishes would tx carried out. WILL CABBYNEW YOFK t I ffiTATltWAV rnWWT.BB RlCV.fi VTA VICTORY TOR BRYAN. k NEW YORK. August 14.?In connection with the meeting today of the democratic state committee, the principal business of which will be the Issuance of a call for a state convention to nominate tor state officers. Chairman W. J. Conner* had invited the chairmen of the various county committees for a general exchange of views on the political situation and the Invitation was quite generally accepted. Prior to the assembling of the state committee Chairman Conners stated positively that the convention will be held in Rochester September 13. "The temporary chairman," Mr. Conners added, "will not be selected until th< next meeting of the state committee, which will be h^ld at Rochester, September 14, to which'date today's meeting wil probably be adjourned. The republicans have named their chairman in advance, because they have a hard road to travel. There is no necessity of our naming oui chairman until convention time." Mr. Conners was asked about the situa. - tion throughout the state and replied: r Strongest Democrat in New York. ' "William J. Bryan will carry New York 3 state by from 73,000 to 100,000. Bryar is the strongest democrat in New York 8 today. We will carry Erie. Niagara e Chenango and fifteen or sixteen othei . counties. Kings county will roll up a big f majority, and other boroughs of Greatei I New York may be depended upon to add a i sufficient democratic plurality to wipe oul - i the republican plurality up state. In mj opinion whoever is nominated by the ret publicans will not carry the state abov? 6 the Bronx by more than 30,000 or 75,000.' Discussing the gubernatorial situatior s Mr. Conners said he had heard the narm - | of Judge Alton B. Parker mentioned as t f ; candidate. "There is plenty of good ma 1 ' terial to pick from," said Mr. Conners f! "Martin W. Littleton would make * j strong candidate. State Controller Glyni i ; has made a good record and would mak< f ' a strong candidate for governor. Lieut ? Gov. Chanler is also strong up state. ' FANS WELCOME NATIONALS. e' Delehanty's Suspension to Be Lifted I { Tomorrow, Wires Johnson. " ! It wasn't exactly a Cy Young' crowd V at American league Park today, bul I there were some 4,500 fans, including the ladies, in attendance to welcome - the Nationals home. Comiskey's White t Sox were the opponents. Both teams were out for early prac1 tlce. But stifling heat put a stop tc such work, and the players dug for the 1 shade on the least provocation. It was good to see two umpires or e the job. s Hearst and Connolly were Ban John - son j selections, while Cantillon put John - son in to work, with Kahoe on the reeeiv -, ing end. White, the locals* hoodoo, did the slal o work for the White Sox. and Sullivai e was catoher. Cantilllon had his men ba first to change his luck, cl 1 Just before the game was called won i- i was received from resident PJohnson tha t Delehanty's suspension would be lifted to e morrow. d 1 The locals scored one in the first inning * I ... " Building Permit Issued. A building permit was issued today ti ; Kdward Chapman for one one-story brie! ; flat at N street between North Capfto n and 1st streets northwest; architect. N 0 T. Haller; builder, owner; estimate* " cost, *_,OUO llEOHBf FOB PRIZES r - _ , r District ' Sharpshooters at ? Camp Perry in the face. ENGAGE IN COMPETITIONS e i i i e National Rifle Association Matches ]r in Progress Today. S SCORES BY WASHINGTONIANS S l- Army Men Assigned by the War fie* partment for Duty a* Range ' 5 s! Officers Report. v rl . Spprial Dispatch to The Star. CAMP PERRY, PORT CLINTON. Ohio. August 14.?The Nationat Rifle Assoolat tion's twenty-sixth annual tournament e opened this morning on the mammoth Ohio range to continue through August ? 20. That the shoot of %?08 is to be the f largest in the history of the association j seems clear. In these matches will comy pete t lie- members of a large proportion of the fifty-one teams going after the national trophy in the four-day light, which will begin August 24. a Tliis is the second year the association's matches have been held here. Until the national matches were transferred here last year the association had for about fifteen years held its shoot at Sea Girt. 0 N. J. With the election in lfOO of di. rectors favorable to the west, however, n the matches were brought here in con nection with the national contests. The 1 board of directors of the association, i. whose president Is Gen. James A. Drain ' of Washington. Includes Maj. S. J. Fort. 1 oranajioe omcer. Maryland National Guard; MaJ, James E. Bell, the -District of Columbia Militia's inspector general of rifle practice: Brig. Gen. George H. Harr ries. commanding the District of C'olumy bia Militia: Brig. Gen. Laurason Rtggs of t Maryland. Lieut. Col. R. K. Evans. 5th f Infantry. I*. S. A., the executive officer of the national matches last year and ' this year, and Brig. Gen. William P. Hall, i adjutant general. It 8. A.. i. Of the fourteen matches on tlie asso? ciation's six-day program five were shot ? today?the Championship Company team. . the Interclub, the Life Member?"* the ' Stares Secretaries' and the Pre?f. The day's work opened with the company t team competition, open to teams of five from any company of the army, "navy. - Marine Corps and militia of the states, f territories and" the District of Columbia. > The match is ten shots at 200 and fiOO 1 yards with the United States service ris fle, model 1003, and any. ammunition. - The winning team receives $50 and gold . medals for each member; the second best 9 team gets $3(> and silver medals; the third best, $20 and bronze medals/ The match was won by Company I, 2d- Regiment, . District of Columbia, in-'fflOS and 11004. ) and by Company O, (5th Battalion, District of Columbia, in 1002, and Company H. Hth Battalion, in 190O and 1001. Last year Company D. 2d Connecticut, was 1 victor, the District not competing. Interclub Match. The Interclub match, which began at 1 o'clock this afternoon, is for teams of - five from civilian rifle clubs, cantpghles, - battalions and regiments affiliated with . the National Rifle Association. The best t score, ten shots per man at 200 yards. - wins the rifle club championship of the e United States, the championship banner - and a silver medal for eacn member. The 1 Helena. Mont., Rifle Cluo won a year ago/' 0 The Life Members' match is for the 1 championship of the National Rifle Assob ciation and $50, -which Dr. W. H. Hudson j of New York won In 1007 and Sergt. C. E. Groome of the District in 1905, and Capt. Sheridan Ferree, also of the District, in 1004. It is a seven-shot match at 200 and - ?00 yards. The State Secretaries' match, - open to state secretaries of the associa j iion,, ten snots at ?**? yards, wttn any military rifle and any ammunition, was won a year ago by MaJ. James E. Be!I of the District with a score of 47. In ' the Press match, for properly accredited ? newspaper men. ten shots for record at 500 yards, the first prize is the Du Pont cup. to be held for a" year by the publl. cation represented by the winner. ? Though twice interrupted by storms which routed the District team from the field at double quick, the Wednesday practice was on the whole satisfactory to Maj. A. P. Robbins. the team captain. 1 The team began with slow fire at 20u yards, in which Lieut. Lackland and Lieut. ( Heidenreish tied for high score at 45. Lieut. Farrow and Lieut. Putnam each making 44. At rapid fire at 200 yards the men shot two strjngs. the second with the 1 battle sight. On the first round Sergt. V. i Windsor led with 40 and 'In the second a Lieut. Putnam with 41. At 1,000 yards in the afternoon Lieut. Alderman and Sergt. 1 i Cole did not finish their strings. Top ! score in the gusty wind was Sergt. Schriver's 57. with Lieut. Powers' 30 sec1 ond. The team did not finish its skirmish run, but very creditable scores were made by those who did, high score being Lieut. Heidenreich's H7. Difring the skirmish Maj. James E. Bell was in the pit. e Scores by District Riflemen. The full score at 200 and i.OOO yards . was as follows, Capt. Forsythe, slightly indisposed from a cold, not shooting: 200 yds. 200 yds. 1.000* Slow. ,?Kapid?, vd?. slffht i . Hummers 4* |* powcth 4* v*' 5? Brown . 38 85 30 30 Wlrul?.r 41 41 32 ? Put nam 44 34 41 24 r tv rlver 42 Mo Anally 40 36 37 32 I Holt 41 ?u 31 28 l Heldenreich.. 45 30 32 25 Farrow 44 40 38 31 ' Clauiu'l 41 38 3.? 20 Clanaer 34 36 3- .. , LatlcUnd 45 36 37 26 Aldermali 38 36 37 Cole 30 Si 20 t To act as range officers, under Maj. J. 1 T Dlckman, the following, detailed by ' the War Department, have arrived here: Capt D. J. Baker, Jr., Oth Infantry; Capt. J F Sayre. 8th Cavalry; Capt. E. V. Book' miller, hth Infantry; Capt. R. Harrison, 1 Tth Cavalry; Capt. G. H. Jameison. 2!>th 5 Infantry; Capt. I. C. Welborn. l?th In1 fantry; Capt. Robert O. Van Horn. 17th Infantry; Capt. F. R. Brown. 9th Infantry Capt. O. L. Eskrldge, 11 th Infantry; 1 Capt Reuben Smith, 9th Infantry; First 1 Lieut. Frank L. Case, 12th Cavalry; First ; Lieut. Charles G. Harvey. 2d Cavalry; First Lieut. Robert D. Carter, 10th Infantry First-Lieut. Charles C. Winnla, 5th Cavalry: First Lieut. Julian L. Dodge, 19th Infantry: First Lieut. Roscoe H. . Hearn 9th Infantry; First Lieut. Arthur i Williams. Corps of Engineers; First Lieut. W A. Mitchell. Corps of Engineers; First Lieut. E. T. Smith. 9th Infantry; Flrat i ( Lieut. R- W. Campbell, Coast Artillery ! Corps; Second Lieut. William C. Russell, - i 8th Infantry; Second Lieut. F. T. Dick' | iinn. 11th Cavalry; Second Lieut. A. G. > Gutensohn. 19th Infantry; Second Lieut.' j Edwin V. 8umner. Jd Cavalry: Second Lieut. William C. F. Nicholson, 7th Cavalry; Second Lieut. E. A. Osterman, " Marine Corps. * Local Men. Make Good Showing. In the championship company team i match, in which twenty-four teams .are competing. "Company Z of the - Second District of Columbia," one of three teams MaJ. Robblns entered simply for practice, tied the navy and the Marine Corps Tor t> high score, 'J10. at tihe -llO-yard stage. i Companies X and Y tied, with 1U7. t Maj. Bell is again competing in the state secretaries' match, and he and Lieut. Far1 row are U| the life members' contest. t[ > First Lieuta. Graves and WiUyf Ordered to Philippine!.' ..ill First Lieuts. Ernest Graves artd Frgpcta B. WUby. now on duty with the "id Bat0 talipn of Engineers at the Washington * barracks, upon completion of their work 1 at the engineer school will proceed to Ban Francisco. Cal.. preparatory to their j sailing on the first available steamer lor duty In the Philippines. " 6EK. BELL AVOIDS ELEVATORS GETS EXERCISE BY GOING UP AND DOWN STAIRS A"; r+t % '* [Hatter of Keeping in Good Physical L . Condition Interesting the Officers of the Army. . Officers of-the -army, who will hereafter be.obliged to submit to a test of their horsemanship every year, are giving a good deal Qf. attention to'the matter i of daily exercise, necessary to those who larc. performing desk work, in order to keep them in good physical condition. The horsemanship tests are not thor"Oughly understood by. .the " public, although so much lias been written concerning^! hem." They -are not only required so that officers might .be able to go on long marches'.'" if called upon by the exigencies of war. but they, are looked upon as a means of keeping them in perfect condition physically and mentally for whatever duties they may be called upon to perform. Those who have advocated the-horsemanship test believe that it can be met by officers year by year only by daily taking exercise and by a manner of life calculated to maintain a healthy condition at all times. Lack of exercise and indulgences of any kind that tend to enervate. It is declared, are sure, sooner or later, to be known by their tell-tale effect In the failure of the officer to stand the endurance test involved In a ninety-mile horseback ride. Gen. J. Franklin Bell, chief of staff of the army, has been one of the leading advocates of the horsemanship test, and is quite as severe upon himself in the matter of physical discipline as he is upon any one who comes under the ban of the President's order. For a long time Gten. Bell practically lias boycotted the. elevators of the State. War and Navy building. There are six floors in the building and Gen. Bell has business to look after on every floor. He goes up and down the staircase as one means to add to the amount of daily exercise that he requires. Many officers of the army ride horseback dally as a favorite method of preserving the physical stamina demanded of them under the endurance test. ' DEATH OF IRA D. SANKEY PASSING OF THE ONCE-FAMOUS SINGING EVANGELIST. I . Widely Known, for His Tours Throughout the Country With the Late D. L. Moody. . ! Special Dispatch "to The Star NEW YORK. August 14 ? Ira D. Banker, the famous singing evangelist, who had beeh living in Brooklyn recently, died last night of heart failure induced by old age. Ira David Sankey, evangelist and slhger. was born in Edinburg. Lawrence county. Pa A.ticni?* 1ft m . Hio first rp Melons work was as choir leader, Sunday school superintendent and president df the Edlnburg: Y. M- C. A. At, the Indianapolis ? M. C. A. international convention in 1870 he met Dwight L: Moody and became associated with him as a solo singer in evangelistic work In the United States and abroad! In later years he'became a lecturer on religious subjects.. Mr. Sankey w^s probably betfit known as a writer and compiler of sacred songs and solos and gosple hymns, and his book entitled "Sacred Songs, and Solos." published in England in 1873. has had a circulation of over fifty million copies and has been-translated into many languages. He composed many, of the most-popular gospel sotffs of -hia tlay^ including "The Ninety and Nine" and "When, the M'-^t^ Have Rolled Away." . He was author of the "Gospel Choir. ."The Mdle Choir." "Christian Endeavor Hymn Book,'r "Sankey's Story of the Gospel Hymns, " "My Life" and "Sacred Songs." Mr. Sankey lost his eyesight in 1893. BALLOON EXPLOSION t 'r ' ' ' ? ' ' ' * GIRL INCINERATED, ANOTHER DEAD AND SIX HURT. LONDON, August 14.?Two were kitled and six injured this morning on the grounds "of the Franco-British exposition by an explosion of the envelope of the balloon owned by Ckpt. Lovfelace of the New .York Aero Club. ^ , Preparations for an ascent were being made when the accident occurred. The cause Is supposed to hgve been the throwing down of a lighted match. Miss Hill, aged eighteen, seoretary to Capt. Lovelace, was one of the persons killed. She was burned to a cinder. The other person killed, a man, and the six men who sustained injuries also were employed by Capt. Lovelace. capt. L.oveiace s ciomes were Durnea. Otherwise he sustained no injuries. HEALTH ENTHUSIAST HURT. Falls From Sun Porch, Breaking Three Ribs and Injuring Brain. CHICAGO. August 14.?As a result of overdevotlon to health promotion. Mrs. Nancy Balleon of Oak park is near death. While taking a sun bath yesterday Mrs. Balleon fell from a scaffold she had built outside her room on the third story of her home and on which she was lying. Mrs. Balleon had been Interested in a number of health systems. After taking a walk In,the morning in her bare feet, exercising on the parallel bars and taking a cold plunge she has been In the habit of spending several hours in her Improvised sun porch. It is supposed that while dozing she rolled from her cot off the scaffolding. She is suffering from three broken ribs and concussion of the brain. CIGARETTE IN HIS MOUTH. C. T. Cropper Kills Himself at Ocean City After Drive With Girl. OCEAN CITY. Md.. August 14,-Calvin T. Cropper, twenty-one years old. son of Thomas J. Cropper, committed suicide at his home here late Wednesday night by blowing his brains out with a pistol. Family troubles had been preying on Mr. Cropper's mind for some time, and for a month or moi?e he had threatened to put an *end to his life. Wednesday night he went driving with a young lady, to whom, he was paying much attention, and who had been a chum of his since-school days, and told her he was going to kill himself, but she only laughed at' hlfc threat, and believed he would soon get over his despondent mood, . - , On their return home Mr. Cropper. P3ss1A 1,1V. a?UaA n?V4 ?U- ? - - uife* ilia uiwiHci any uivnici, wnu were 811tin* on the porch, went to his room and locked. the door. A second later a shot was heard. and the brother rushed upstairs. broke In the doer and found Calvin lylrtg on the bed, pistol In hand, with his coat off and a-cigarette in his mouth, and blood flowing from the gaping wound -in his temple. . , First Lieut. Ridlftj Ordered to Hono> >. lulu, ' . First Lieut. Clarence 8. Ridley, now with the 2d battalion . of Engineers at the Washington barracks, will, upon the completion of his work at the engineer school, proceed to 8an Francisco, preparatory to Jits sailing for Honolulu for duty with the 11st Battalion of Engineers. TO CONDEMNTHE LAND Government Moves as to Squares 226 to 230. FILES PETITION IN COURT United States Attorney Acts for Department of Justice. SITE FOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS . -f ...... Price Demanded by Owners Considered Excessive?Legal Steps Next in Order. The United States, by Attorneys D. W. Baker and Jesse C. Adkins. late this afternoon filed a petition In the uistrict Supreme Court to secure the condemnation of the property in the five squares bounded by Pennsylvania avenue and B street. 14th and 13th streets northwest, for the purchase of which Congress appropriated .$2,500,000. The squares are known on the plat books as Nos. 226 to 230. The land Is to be used as a site for two or more public buildings. The price demanded by those owners who submitted offers to the Treasury Department was considered excessive, and Secretary Cortelyou requested Attorney General Bonaparte to have condemnation proceedings instituted. A meeting of the court in general term. Justices Barnard. Gould and Stafford. may be held next week, at which the preliminary details of procedure under the condemnation proceedings will be settled. Attached to the petition for the condemnation of the land is a list of the owners, occupants and trustees named In incumbrances on the property. List of the Property. | -The list, as far as it relates to square 226. which fronts on the south side of the avenue, is as follows; Parcel No. 1. Owners?The Grand Opera House Company. a body corporate, under the laws of the state of Virginia. Description?The original lot No. 6 and parts Of original lots numbered 4. 5 and 7. improved by building formerly known as Grand Opera. House, more lately as Chase's Theater Occupant?Plimpton B. Chase. incumbrances?Arthur A. B.irney, Gasherie DeWitt.and Ezra D. Pgrker, trustees under deeds of trust recorded in Liber 2370 at folios 103 and 200. Parcel No. 2. Owner?Orren G. Staples. . Description?Part of original lot No. 8. | lota named Herty. Joncharez and MeGowan. and lots lettered A arfd B. C and D. ari'd alley A. Improved by building known as the Regent Hotel, by premises numbers 1424, 1422. 1420 Pennsylvania i avenue' northwest. Washington. D. C. Occupants?Regent Hotel, at the corner of 15th street and Pennsylvania avenue ! northwest, Eugene W. Wheeler; premises t Nbi 1424 Pennsylvania avenue northwest, Plimpton B. Chase and Eugene W. Wheeler: nremises No. 1422 Pennsylvania avenue northwest. Plimpton B. Chase and Eugene W. Wheeler; premises No. 1420 Pennsylvania avenue northwest. Duparr quet. Huot & Moneuse Company, a body corporate, under the laws of the state of New York. Incumbrances?Arthur T. Brlce and .William J. Flather. trustees, under deed of trust recorded in Liber 2546 at folio 106. - *' . Parcel No. 3. Owner?Samuel G.CornWell. Description?Lota named ' Blount, Buchanan and Budhanan X. anjl lettered K. Improved by premises 1418, 1416, 1414 and 1412 Pennsylvania avenue northwest. Occupants?The owner. Also premises 1418 Pennsylvania avenue northwest. Willard Hotel Co.. a body corporate. Premises 1416 Pennsylvania avenue?Annie F. Murphy. Incumbrances?1. George H. Kyd and ; Mahlon Asliford. trustees, under deed of trust recorded in Liber 2548. folio 253. 2. George H. Kyd and William D. Hoover, trustees, under deed of trust recorded in Liber 2544, folio 25ft. X Milton E. Ailes 1 and William J. Flather, trustees, under deed o ftrilSt recorded in Liber 2122, at | folio 261. Parcel No. 4. 0 Owner?Mrs. Anne C. Snyder, Washington, D. C. . , Description?Lot E In William H. Dorsey's subdivision. Improved by premises 1416 Penusylavnia avenue northwest. Occupants?John Barnes and Baltimore American Newspaper Company, a body corporate. Address of both, 1410 Penn svivHum avenue nuriiiwesi, vvasningion, D. C. Parcel No. 5. Owner?J. Forbes Beale, Washington, D. C. Description?The west seventeen feet tliree inches front by the full depth thereof of lot F in William H. Dorsey's subdivision. Improved by premises 1408 Pennsylvania avenue northwest. Occupants?Albert W. Ward and James Cunningham, partners trading under the tirm name and style of Ward & Cunningham. Address, 1408 Pennsylvania avenue northwest, Washington, D. C. Parcel No. 6. Owner?George H. Higbee. Description?The east 7 feet 0 inches front by the full depth thereof of lot F and all of lot G in William H. Dorsey's subdivision. Improved by premises 140# and 1404 Pennsylvania avenue northwest. Occupants?Premises No. 14O0 Pennsylvania avenue northwest: John M. Davis and Florentine Cafe Company, incorporated; address of both, 140U Pennsylvania avenue northwest, Washington, D. C. Premises 1404 Pennsylvania avenue northwest: Florentine Cafe Company, incorporated; address, 1404 Pennsylvania avenue northwest, Washington, D. C. Incumbrances?William E. Edmonston and Murray A. Cobb, trustees, under deed of trust recorded in Liber 3044, at folio 378. Paroel No. 7. Owner?Antonia P. Sickles. Description?The west 21 feet 7% inches fropt by the full depth of lot H in W. II. Dorsey's subdivision. Improved bv nrem. Ises 1402 Pennsylvania avenue northwest. Occupant?Premises No. 1402 Pennsylvania avenue northwest; Edward J. Gardiner. Parcel No. 8. Owners-Miranda Eraser. Description?All of lot I and the east a feet 4% inches front by the full depth of lot.H in W. H. Dorsey's subdivision. Improved by premises 1400 Pennsylvania avenue northwest. . Occupant?Premises No. 1400 Pennsylvania avenue northwest: Edward J. Gardiner. * Parcel No. 8. Owner?Rufus H. Darby Printing; Company. a body corporate under the laws of the state oT "West Virginia. Description? Lots 13 and 10 in P. Butler's subdivision, improved by premises Nos. .VMS and 308 14th street northwest. Occupant?The National Engraving Com % pany. a body corporate. ^?nd the owner. Incumbrance*? 1. George H. Kyd and William D. Hoover, trustees, under deed of trust recorded in Liber 2348. at folio 407. 2. Edward H. Thomas and John L. Prosise. trustees, under deed of trust recorded in Liber 3553. at folio 45:'. Parcel No. 10. ' Owner?Edwin H. Neumeyer. Description?Lots 17 and 18 in Ferdinand Butler's subdivision, improved by premises Nos. 304 and 302 14th street northwest. Occupants?Premises No. 3*H 14th street, Israel Little; premises No. 502 14th street northwest. Jerome Mazzocchl. Incumbrances?Guy H. Johnson and John C. Gittings. trustees, under deed ' of trust recorded in Liber 3068. at folio 108. Parcel No. 11. Owner?Anthony (or Andrew! J. Clark. Description?Lot 10 in Ferdinand Butler's subdivision, improved by premises No. 300 14th street northwest. Occupant?Dennis Mullaney. Parcel No. 12. Owners?Elizabeth Trimball. Marion Frances Clark and Elizabeth Naylor, otherwise called Bettie G. Naylor. Description?Lot 20 in Ferdinand Butler's subdivision, improved by premises ; 1403 E street northwest. Occupant?Robert Brown and Dennis J. McCarthy, partners, doing business under the tirm name and style of IJrown & McCarthy. Incumbrances?Guy H. Johnson and John C. Gittings. trustees under deed of trust, liber ??47. at folio 306. Parcel No. 14. Owner?Milton Smith. Description?I>ot 21 in Ferdinand Butler's subdivision, improved by premises No. 1403 E street northwest. Occupant?Benjamin F. McCauley. Incumbrances?Guy H. Johnson and jonn u. lilt lings, trustees unaer aeea oi trust recorded In liber "1051. at folio 251. Parcel No. 15. Owner? Frances M. Miller. Description?Lot 22 in Ferdinand Butler's subdivision, improved by premises No. 1407 E street northwest. Occupant?Frederick W. Grenfell. Incumbrances?Walter R. Willcox and George F. Hane, trustees under deed of trust recorded in liber 308?. at folio 422. Parcel No. 16. Owner?Samuel G. Cornwell. Description?All of original lot 3 and the east 21 feet Inches front by the depth of 95 feet to the alley of the original lot 4. improved by premises 1409, 1411, 1413 E street northwest. Occupant?The owner. The parcels in the other squares will bring up the total number of pieces of property to seventy-five. BURGLARS STOLE- ILOTHES INCLUDING SOME FIXINGS OF DETECTIVE ADONI8 PRATT. George Wilson, alias Leroy PfeifTer. and Frederick Belford, alias Johnson, colored, who came here a few days ago from Harrisburg. Pa., will be arraigned in the Police Court tomorrow morning on a charge of burglary. They came here on a freight train a few days ago and entered the clothes shop of Joseph Reynolds, at 482 Louisiana avenue, and carried off about $290 worth of clothing that had been left there to be cleaned. The prisoners admitted their guilt and took the detectives to a lumber yard at 13th street and Ohio avenue, where most of the plunder was recovered. Part of it was in a suit case belonging to Detective Prntt, the officer having taken it to the clothing establishment filled with articles of wearing apparel. The prisoners explained to the detectives that they went to the Louisiana avenue place of business about 2 o'clock Sunday morning and effected an entrance by climbing through a rear window, having used a ladder in order to reach the window. They pulled the ladder through the window after them and used it as a prop. A glass panel was removed from one of the doors to provide for a quick get away, and the men then assorted the clothing and packed the best of It in two suit cases, leaving more than a hundred garments on the floor. Several of the articles of clothing were sold, and when arrested one prisoner was wearing a pair of stolen trousers. Special Policeman Klopfer came across when the detectives were searching the lumber yard and hid behind a tree. The detectives 'no MM it nil rhAiit Arl him a u t Rntr vaugui uu auu Diiuuicu tw nuu no approached. * "It's a good thing you called." said Klopfer, putting his revolver back In his pocket. "I though somebody was In there." The colored men told the detectives that they beat their way from Harrlsburg on freight trains. Before they got away from Harrisburg Wilson had to jump from a train in a hurry and got his foot caught so near the track that the wheels of a car cut off the end of one of his toes. This morning they were measured and photographed at police headquarters. TRAIN SMASHES INTO WA60N SCHEINERMAN AND GOLDENBERG JUMP AND ESCAPE. P. Schelherman and M. Goldenberg. dealers in clothing at 1230 11th street southeast, narrowly escaped death at the Maryland avenue railway crossing In Hyattsville, Md.. about 7 o'clock las', evening when their team was struck by an express train running at the rate of sixty miles an hour. The rear wheels of their conveyance were torn off and the seat smashed to splinters. The occupants saw the train in time to leap from the wagon and escaped with slight bruises and a severe shock. The train from Washington, due at Hyattsville at 6:43 o'clock, it Is claimed, was standing at the station as the cross ing gong was ringing. Scheinerman and Ooldenberg. on their way to this city, heard the bell, but thought it was a signal for the train at standstill. They claim that the gates protecting the Baltimore track were up. and they had reached the track before they noticed the approach of the express. The. rear wheels of the vehicle were passing over I the track when the crash came. Moses Edlavltch. -a Hyattsville merchant. also came near being caught by the express, which, it is believed, was run- j ning extra. v j < Scheinerman and Goldenberg came to i the city later last evening and were attended byt physicians. Goldenberg has a slight concussion of the brain, while the extent of Schelnerman's injuries has not been determined. Both are conflned to their apartments at 1230 11th street south- t east. , PASSENGERS ESCAPE. 1 No One Hurt When Train Craahea 1 Through String of Cars. I M1DDLETOWN. N. Y.. August 14Wliat Is regarded as one of the most re* 1 markable railroad wrecks that has ever j occurred on the Ontario and Western syg- ) tem. in that no one was killed or injured. I occurred at Summitville last night when . passenger train No. 416, bound for Weehawken, N. J., raji into an open switch while going twenty miles an hour, cut through half a dozen empty passenger coaches standing on a siding and then jumped the track. * It was largely due to the coolness and : bravery of the engineer. Eugene Barrs. that the train was not completely j wrecked. When he saw that his engine I had run by the open switch he applied the emergency brakes, and despite the fact that he saw his engine rushing toward the passenger coaches on the siding he stuck to his post. The engine, after jamming its nose through the empty cars, jumped the track and went bounding along over th^ ties. drag&Sng the- mail coach also from the rails. WIFE TMCES PAIR With Strap She Larrups Hubby and Affinity. ENCOURAGED BY CROWD Event Wm Only Observance of Her Wedding Anniversary. OTHER WOMAN ONCE FRIEND She Discovers That His "Business Trips" Were Blinds?Run Down in Street. NEW YORK.?August 14.?Mis. Edward C. Gee. wife of Edward C. Gee. a wealthy electrical Contractor of No. Wall street, visited newspaper offices last night and said she had rounded out twenty-six years of married life at yesterday afternoon at Hoyt and Livingston streels. Brooklyn. by soundly trouncing her husband and liis affinity with a heavy leather belt. For eignteen months Mrs. (See said her husband had neglected her for a Jersey City woman. Not only did he remain away from home nights, but lie refused to take her out in their automobile and cut her allowance to *14 a week. Mr. Gee's Income, she said, was gH.OOO a year. "My husband began to show attention to this woman about a year and a half ago." she continued, "and she lias been his affinity ever since. The woman and I had been close personal friends and I did not suspect anything was wrong until she stopped coming to see me. "Last April she left her husband and about the same time my husband said that his work would require much of his time and suggested that he live at some hotel in New York while I remained at our home at No. 'Jfx? Harrison avenue, Jersey City. I refused to agree to this and from that time on my husband was away nearly every night. I A?w A *t T Af f ? Y* I All AUVU jr luuun 4UV?iVv*> "In May. although 1 sick. Mr. Gee flayed away from the house nearly all the time. Finally 1 received an anonymous letter saying thai my husband was running around with a former intimate friend of mine. I started an Investigation and was amazed to discover it was my friend "I had no money to employ d private detective. Instead I employed Harry Kruger. a seven teen-year-old boy. who lived at No. 8-!** Clinton avenue, to trail my husband and the woman. He told me that my husband frequently met her in the neighborhood of Hoyt and Schermerhorn streets, in Brooklyn "Days that Mr. Gee Raid he would be out of town on business the Kruger lad trailed the couple to Brooklyn, where the v dined at the Hofbrau Hous? and went shopping together. On Wednesday my husband said he was going to Glen Cove. L. I. Instead he wen' to Brooklyn and met this woman. He did not return horn* until nearly 3 o'clock this morning. Her Birthday, Too. "Today was my birthday and before he went to New York I asked him if he had a present for me. He treated me coldly and said he was going to Albany and would not be back until Friday. This afternoon I put on some old clothe*, donned a heavy veil and went over to Brooklyn with Harry Kruger and Miss Loretta Kruger. his sister. At 3:3?? I saw my husband crossing the car tracks at Hoyt and Livingston streets arm-in-arm witn his affinity. "1 hail brought a heavy belt with me which belonged to Mr. Gee, and when j tnose two saw me with that belt in my hand iney turned as white as paper. The woman drew herself up haugutity and in returned I pinched her first on one cheek and then on the other. I laid the strap over her shoulders good and hard until she ran away. Then I turned my attention to Mr. Gee and gave him a taste of the strap. "A big crowd collected and a mounted policeman said that if I didn't stop beating my husband he would arrest me. I dared him to lock me up. Then Mr. Gee had the audacity to say that he intended to leave me. anyway, and wanted to tlx things up quietly. I t?Ul him that the only fixing up would mean that the whole world would know that he had treated the woman he had been married to for twenty-six years like a dog. "Mr. Gee is forty-six years old and I am forty-five, and I am flot ashamed of my age." GONSUMPM MENACES JAIL WABDEN McKEE SUGGESTS PAR DON TO PRESIDENT. Health of Inmates Endangered by Condition of Sick Man, He Writes. Warden Thomas H. McKee of the United States jail lias written a letter to President Roosevelt informing him that the heal h of ."ioo male prisoners in the Jail Is endangered by the presence in their midst of a prisoner suffering from tuberculosis. ^ In ids communication Capt. McKee asks the executive to either order the man's removal to some hospital or to grant hitn a pardon that the danger of infection may be removed. Tills course was taken by Warden McKee as a last resort after having appealed to the Department of Justice, which did not act, it is said, on account of the apparent inability of any person to assume the authority. Justice Barnard of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, to whom Warden McKee also appealed, found that he was without authority to act. The prisoner in question has been placed in a cell by himself so that he does not come in contact with any other prisoner. But his presence in the building is a menace. The discovery of the case calls attention incidentally to the inadequate accommodations at the Jail, where mere is no place where the unfortunate prisoner can be * cared for properly. The man could be taken to the tuberculosis liosni'al for treatment were It not for the fact thit In view of his record lie is almost certain to attempt to escape. _ *Records for Twenty-Four Hours. The following are the readings of the .hermometer and barometer at the weather bureau for the twenty-four hours beginning at 2 p.m. yesterday: Thermometer? August IS. 4 p.m.. tig; g a.m.. 83; 12 midnight. 78: August 14. 4 i.m., 74; 8 a.m.. 78; 12 noon. 87; 2 p.m., ?. Maximum. 88. at 4 jam. August 13.; ninimum, 73. at IS a.m. August 14. Barometer?August 13. 4 p.m., 30.U3; >.m., 3O.01; 12 midnight, ;su.04; August 14. i a.m.. 30.05: 8 a.m.. 30.00; noon. 3o.lO: 2 ?.m., 30.10. Maximum temperature past twenty-four tours, 03: a year ago. 80. Downtown Temperature. The temperature recorded today by <>ast & Co-'s standard thermometer waa la follows: 9 a.m., 88; 12 noon. Ifc"; 2 p.m.. KS. I If you want the j ^ Main BEST HELPtel2440 * phone The Star, Main 2-4-4-0. _ _ . .. ? . . t